How much does a dental hygienist make?
Answer: A typical dental hygienist in the United States makes $98,100 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 223,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Dental hygienist pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $74,880 | $98,100 | $126,050 | about 223,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $132,690 | about 790 |
| Washington | $131,160 | about 6,000 |
| California | $124,930 | about 25,000 |
| Oregon | $122,080 | about 4,000 |
| Nevada | $115,290 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the US, experience and credentials can affect a hygienist’s pay, and pay also varies by workplace and location. Many dental hygienists work part time, so the number of days or hours worked changes yearly earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a dental hygienist do?
Administer oral hygiene care to patients. Assess patient oral hygiene problems or needs and maintain health records. Advise patients on oral health maintenance and disease prevention. May provide advanced care such as providing fluoride treatment or administering topical anesthesia.
What's a typical day like?
They check a patient’s teeth and gums, clean away plaque and tartar, and may take X-rays or apply fluoride. They record what they find, report concerns to the dentist, and teach brushing and flossing.
How to get this job
In the US, finish high school and complete an accredited dental-hygiene program, often an associate-degree course. Then pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Exam and a state or regional clinical exam, and get a state license.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like helping and teaching and building and doing.
Did you know?
In the US, dental hygienists are allowed to give local anesthesia in every state, though state rules still shape how they practice.
What about Japan?
Same jobThe US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1292.00
- www.adha.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/BrochureEnglish_Feb25-B.pdf
- www.adha.org/advocacy/scope-of-practice
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY